Northumberland County council
Housing and homelessness, health and long-term care, economic development, and roads are the focus for Northumberland County officials at the 2025 AMO Conference.
Among the 2,500 participants at this year’s Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference in Ottawa are several county officials, including members of council such as Warden Brian Ostrander – who also serves as Brighton’s mayor – Deputy Warden Olena Hankivsky – who also serves as Port Hope’s mayor – and CAO Jennifer Moore, to name a few.
County officials said the focus remains on advocating for strong partnerships and shared, workable solutions to opportunities and challenges Northumberland is currently facing.
This year’s conference – running Aug. 17 to 20 – is bringing together municipal provincial leaders amid significant economic uncertainty fueled by trade and tariff disputes with the U.S., noted officials.
“The Ontario Government and municipalities must work together to protect and strengthen our social and economic prosperity,” said the county. “Municipal services and infrastructure underpin Ontario’s competitiveness and must be on strong financial footing.”
Ostrander and county delegates are among area officials meeting with provincial ministers to advocate for supports and partnerships needed to guide community growth with intention – and to address priorities such as housing and homelessness, health and long-term care, economic development, and road and bridge networks, highlighted county staff.
This year’s AMO Conference also features more than 60 speakers, sessions and workshops. Key reported session topics include affordable housing and growth, homelessness, infrastructure, property reassessment, artificial intelligence, and more.
Amid the trade war, there will also be an emphasis with experts delving into related impacts. AMO will also launch its first Indigenous reconciliation action plan, noted officials.
In nearby Quinte West, the city has confirmed it has secured delegations with four key ministries, including under finance, health, infrastructure, and sport. Addressing local concerns around lost municipal revenue under payments in lieu of taxes, and a call for a review of current framework to ensure fairness and sustainability for municipalities is on the do-list.
Quinte West representatives will also focus on the shortage of primary health-care resources locally, and advocate for the city’s funding application under the health and safety water stream, which is about the need for additional water storage and a new pumping station to support growth and enhanced fire flows in the west end of Trenton.
“Advocating for the needs of our community is one of our most important responsibilities as a municipal government,” said Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison. “We’re heading to AMO with strong priorities that reflect the needs of our residents, and we look forward to productive conversations with our provincial partners.”
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
